This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a country where a revolving drug fund (RDF) has lasted for fifteen years and serves more than three million patients annually; with more than SDG 2.8 million (Sudanese Pound) (US$11.1 million) annual turn over. Regardless of the fact that the supply of medicines and improvement in public health facilities utilization are among the main objectives of user fees policy; there is little information on the effect of RDF on accessibility of essential medicines and its impact on the utilization of public health services where RDF schemes have been introduced. We measured the percentage of prescribed medicines dispensed to patients in selected health facilities (both RDF and non-RDF); the availability of essential medicines in a twelve month period in order to determine whether the cost of the medicines is a barrier to utilization of public health services with RDF scheme in Khartoum State (KS). Structured interviews with users (186); personal observations; and archival as well as statistical records were used to capture data of interest relevant to the study objective. The average availability rate of key items was greater (93) in the RDF facilities compared to 86in non-RDF facilities. RDF records also showed that the availability of medicines in the RDF health facilities ranged from 95 to 100in the twelve months period studied. Data from the household survey; demonstrated that over a third (36) of respondents did not consult public health facilities when a member of a household was ill two weeks prior to the date of interview. Of note; only 9of them said that this was because of unavailability of medicines. This study suggests that the RDF scheme adopted by KS made essential medicines available at its health facilities and increased health services utilization compared to those without RDF scheme. Therefore; sustained availability of low cost medicines near where people live that benefit previously disadvantaged poor population; particularly the vulnerable rural groups is achievable through RDF

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a country where a revolving drug fund (RDF) has lasted for fifteen years and serves more than three million patients annually; with more than SDG 2.8 million (Sudanese Pound) (US$11.1 million) annual turn over. Regardless of the fact that the supply of medicines and improvement in public health facilities utilization are among the main objectives of user fees policy; there is little information on the effect of RDF on accessibility of essential medicines and its impact on the utilization of public health services where RDF schemes have been introduced. We measured the percentage of prescribed medicines dispensed to patients in selected health facilities (both RDF and non-RDF); the availability of essential medicines in a twelve month period in order to determine whether the cost of the medicines is a barrier to utilization of public health services with RDF scheme in Khartoum State (KS). Structured interviews with users (186); personal observations; and archival as well as statistical records were used to capture data of interest relevant to the study objective. The average availability rate of key items was greater (93) in the RDF facilities compared to 86in non-RDF facilities. RDF records also showed that the availability of medicines in the RDF health facilities ranged from 95 to 100in the twelve months period studied. Data from the household survey; demonstrated that over a third (36) of respondents did not consult public health facilities when a member of a household was ill two weeks prior to the date of interview. Of note; only 9of them said that this was because of unavailability of medicines. This study suggests that the RDF scheme adopted by KS made essential medicines available at its health facilities and increased health services utilization compared to those without RDF scheme. Therefore; sustained availability of low cost medicines near where people live that benefit previously disadvantaged poor population; particularly the vulnerable rural groups is achievable through RDF

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude ethanolic; methanolic and water extracts of the stem bark of Jatropha curcas were investigated. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities with zones of inhibition ranging from 5 to 12; 8 to 20 and 0 to 8 mm for ethanol; methanol and water extracts respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol extract was between 0.5 and 6.25 mgml-1 while that of methanol extract ranged from 0.5 to 10 mgml-1. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for ethanol extract ranged between 2.0 and 12.50 mgml-1; while that of methanol ranged from 2.0 to 20 mgml-1. Again all the extracts exhibited appreciable activity against all the fungal species investigated. The zones of inhibition exhibited by the extracts against the test fungal species ranged between 15 and 18; 15 and 20 and 5 and 10 mm for ethanol; methanol and water extracts respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponin; steroids; tannin; glycosides; alkaloids and flavonoids in the extracts. The ability of the crude stem extracts of J. curcas to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi is an indication of its broad spectrum antimicrobial potential which may be employed in the management of microbial infections.

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude ethanolic; methanolic and water extracts of the stem bark of Jatropha curcas were investigated. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activities with zones of inhibition ranging from 5 to 12; 8 to 20 and 0 to 8 mm for ethanol; methanol and water extracts respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol extract was between 0.5 and 6.25 mgml-1 while that of methanol extract ranged from 0.5 to 10 mgml-1. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for ethanol extract ranged between 2.0 and 12.50 mgml-1; while that of methanol ranged from 2.0 to 20 mgml-1. Again all the extracts exhibited appreciable activity against all the fungal species investigated. The zones of inhibition exhibited by the extracts against the test fungal species ranged between 15 and 18; 15 and 20 and 5 and 10 mm for ethanol; methanol and water extracts respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponin; steroids; tannin; glycosides; alkaloids and flavonoids in the extracts. The ability of the crude stem extracts of J. curcas to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi is an indication of its broad spectrum antimicrobial potential which may be employed in the management of microbial infections.

The hydrodistilled essential oils from Pistacia vera.L stem exudates have been tested against three bacteria (Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp) using three methods: agar disc diffusion; determination of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and in the liquid phase by Maruzella method. The results obtained showed that essential oil resin of P. vera L. has antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (E. coli and Proteus spp.) as well as gram positive bacteria (S. aureus); when Proteus spp. was the greatest inhibited of all the strains tested.

The hydrodistilled essential oils from Pistacia vera.L stem exudates have been tested against three bacteria (Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp) using three methods: agar disc diffusion; determination of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and in the liquid phase by Maruzella method. The results obtained showed that essential oil resin of P. vera L. has antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (E. coli and Proteus spp.) as well as gram positive bacteria (S. aureus); when Proteus spp. was the greatest inhibited of all the strains tested.